Match Report


Leicester CityLeicester City     RochdaleRochdale
Steve LittleSteve Little Computer Player Computer Player
Seyni FujenS. Fujen63
G
1captain
G
72Serafim PungaS. Punga
Flavio CassanoF. Cassano62
D
2
D
71Cesare MilaneseC. Milanese
Emiliano NicolettiE. Nicoletti69
D
3
D
71Kevin EderK. Eder
Alun RowettA. Rowett65
D
4
D
67Sean ApolloniS. Apolloni
Edward WiltordE. Wiltord66
D
captain5
M
75George NoicaG. Noica
Martin BedaM. Beda71
M
6
M
70Francis MontagueF. Montague
John KasperJ. Kasper61
M
7
M
52Isaiah GascoigneI. Gascoigne
Danny MersonD. Merson63
M
8
M
41Chris GeorgeC. George
Franco CapezzutoF. Capezzuto69
A
9
A
73Jean-Luc BiancalaniJ. Biancalani
Eric MeidtE. Meidt70
A
10
A
69Andrez CircatiA. Circati
Michael DefoeM. Defoe73
A
11
A
46Tchiressoua LauretT. Lauret
 
Jon LawrenceJ. Lawrence57
D
12
G
57Liam CoppingL. Copping
Nils DiakiteN. Diakite60
M
13
D
55Adrian SturridgeA. Sturridge
Carl PowellC. Powell59
D
14
G
40Yuri NettoY. Netto

Joe Jacks Fish Shack
today's match is sponsored by Joe Jacks Fish Shack
Match Report
It's a clear sunny day here at King Power Stadium where Leicester City play host to Rochdale. A crowd of 17,916 fill this 21,000 capacity stadium.
The pitch is in good condition.
Leicester City are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while Rochdale appear to be shaped for 3-4-3.
Today's match is refereed by Gary James.


0.00
Rochdale kick off and get the match underway!
3.03
George Noica makes a probing pass to Tchiressoua Lauret. Tchiressoua Lauret whips in a cross ball towards Andrez Circati. Andrez Circati is unmarked! He powers a header at goal. The keeper is more than a match for it. Good keeping!
4.37
Martin Beda flicks a high pass forward. Franco Capezzuto collects the pass. Franco Capezzuto tries a spectacular long range effort. It slams into the side netting. So close!!
10.34
Isaiah Gascoigne advances with the ball. Isaiah Gascoigne shoots from long range but it rises well off target!
15.40
Alun Rowett threads a neat ball through to John Kasper. Seeing a gap ahead, John Kasper plays the ball forward to Eric Meidt. Eric Meidt finds some space and shoots from distance but it is tipped over by Serafim Punga.
16.01
Martin Beda takes a short corner kick, passing the ball to Michael Defoe. Michael Defoe makes some space for himself and shoots at goal. The ball bounces but comes off Cesare Milanese and goes wide.
21.57
Flavio Cassano flicks a high pass forward. John Kasper controls it well on his chest. John Kasper threads a neat ball through to Franco Capezzuto. Franco Capezzuto knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
30.51
Danny Merson plays the ball forward to Eric Meidt. Eric Meidt finds some space and shoots from distance but it's drastically wayward!
34.13
Eric Meidt hacks Kevin Eder from behind! The referee calls over Eric Meidt and shows him a yellow card! Kevin Eder runs off the knock.
38.03
Danny Merson sees Michael Defoe in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Michael Defoe finds some space and shoots from distance. Serafim Punga comfortably gets down and covers it.
39.05
Danny Merson flicks a high pass forward. Franco Capezzuto collects the pass. Franco Capezzuto shoots from distance. The ball dips but the keeper is more than a match for it. Fabulous stop!
40.22
Alun Rowett sees Danny Merson in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Danny Merson sees space and advances. Danny Merson rushes past Sean Apolloni! Some good footwork from Danny Merson provides some space. He shoots at goal. The ball edges just beyond the reach of the keeper, thudding into the back of the net. Goal!!
45.00
The whistle blows and the first half comes to an end!

Both teams emerge for the second half. Leicester City appear unchanged since the first half. Rochdale also appear unchanged since the first half. The Rochdale players look more motivated than they were before.

45.00
Leicester City kick off and get the second half underway!
48.36
John Kasper catches Francis Montague on the ankles. John Kasper is shown the yellow card! Francis Montague stretches but gets up unharmed.
53.42
Emiliano Nicoletti comes in with a late challenge on Jean-Luc Biancalani. The referee warns Emiliano Nicoletti to calm down! Jean-Luc Biancalani carries on, but is struggling a bit.
53.42
Free kick to Rochdale just outside the area...
54.39
Isaiah Gascoigne takes a slow run up and curls the ball around the wall. It's too high and doesn't trouble the keeper.
60.34
Isaiah Gascoigne knocks the ball forward to Tchiressoua Lauret. Tchiressoua Lauret knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Emiliano Nicoletti.
66.23
Danny Merson hits a low pass to Eric Meidt. Eric Meidt lofts in a cross ball towards Michael Defoe. Michael Defoe flicks the ball with his head which easily beats the keeper. Goal!!
71.19
With some swift thinking, Flavio Cassano plays the ball forward to Martin Beda. Martin Beda flicks a high pass forward to Franco Capezzuto who brings the ball under control. Franco Capezzuto shoots from distance but it flies just wide!
77.50
Cesare Milanese deftly passes the ball to his team mate, George Noica. George Noica passes the ball forward to Jean-Luc Biancalani. Jean-Luc Biancalani shoots from distance but somehow Seyni Fujen manages to keep it out.
78.57
Flavio Cassano makes a probing pass to John Kasper. Without breaking stride, John Kasper plays the ball forward to Eric Meidt. Eric Meidt shoots from long range. The ball comes in low, but Serafim Punga smothers it!
79.54
Martin Beda makes a simple pass to Michael Defoe. Michael Defoe shoots from distance but somehow Serafim Punga manages to keep it out.
81.46
John Kasper threads the ball through to Franco Capezzuto. Franco Capezzuto shoots from 25 yards. Magnificent save by Serafim Punga!
83.53
Franco Capezzuto clumsily knocks into Sean Apolloni. Franco Capezzuto is warned by the referee! Sean Apolloni runs off the knock.
84.02
Alun Rowett threads the ball through to Danny Merson. Danny Merson runs straight at the opposition's defence. Danny Merson shoots from 20 yards but connects badly and the ball goes wide!
90.00
John Kasper threads a neat ball through to Eric Meidt. Eric Meidt shoots from long range but somehow Serafim Punga manages to keep it out.
90.00
The referee blows for full-time

Match Statistics
 

Leicester City

Rochdale
Goals
2
0
Shots on Target
10
2
Shots off Target
4
2
Offsides
0
0
Fouls
4
0
Yellow Cards
2
0
Red Cards
0
0

Possession
54.1%
45.9%
Play Area
18.9%
45.9%
35.1%

Scorers
Danny Merson 40
Michael Defoe 66

Man of the Match
The man of the match was awarded to Danny Merson of Leicester City

Match Ratings
1.Seyni Fujen (GK)
6
2.Flavio Cassano (DEF)
6
3.Emiliano Nicoletti (DEF)
5
4.Alun Rowett (DEF)
7
5.Edward Wiltord (DEF)
6
6.Martin Beda (MID)
6
7.John Kasper (MID)yellow card
6
8.Danny Merson (MID)goal scored
9
9.Franco Capezzuto (ATT)
6
10.Eric Meidt (ATT)yellow card
6
11.Michael Defoe (ATT)goal scored
8
 
12.Jon Lawrence (DEF)
0
13.Nils Diakite (MID)
0
14.Carl Powell (DEF)
0

1.Serafim Punga (GK)
8
2.Cesare Milanese (DEF)
6
3.Kevin Eder (DEF)
6
4.Sean Apolloni (DEF)
6
5.George Noica (MID)
6
6.Francis Montague (MID)
6
7.Isaiah Gascoigne (MID)
6
8.Chris George (MID)
6
9.Jean-Luc Biancalani (ATT)
6
10.Andrez Circati (ATT)
6
11.Tchiressoua Lauret (ATT)
6
 
12.Liam Copping (GK)
0
13.Adrian Sturridge (DEF)
0
14.Yuri Netto (GK)
0